Libsyn Directory

EP172: Inside The Coast Tropical Fish Club with Ross Freeman

Release Date: 03/16/2024

EP183: Lift Up Landscapers w/ Michelle Esau

The Pond Digger Podcast

Are you trying to grow your business but struck with marketing? Are you tired of feeling like your ads are just floating out there without giving the results you expected? Facebook ads expert Michelle Esau from Lift Up Landscapers shares different marketing strategies you can use to grow your business. She talks about Facebook ads, targeting strategies, and clears up the misconceptions contractors have about marketing. In this episode, they talk about: The best way to target Facebook ads for contractors Why simply posting pretty pictures of ponds and boosting the post without a...

EP182: Doing It Different Aquariums & Ponds w/ Lucas Bretz

The Pond Digger Podcast

Today, we have YouTube sensation Lucas Bretz from LRB Aquatics on the show. Lucas is doing aquariums differently and with great success. He discusses the importance of embracing natural processes in aquarium maintenance and shares his unique approach to natural, no-filter aquarium maintenance. In this episode, they talk about: Importance of building a connection with the audience in online content Lucas’ experience with aquariums with no filters using a natural approach Using substrate, plants, and occasional water changes in no-filter tanks Importance of embracing...

EP181: Personal Branding for Contractors w/ Isaac Mashman

The Pond Digger Podcast

Personal branding is a powerful way for contractors to grow their business and attract more clients. In this episode, personal branding expert Isaac Mashman talks about personal branding, and how it can help you with your business. He discusses how personal branding is more than just logos, shares tips and strategies for personal branding, and how contractors can tie their personal brand to their business. In this episode, they talk about: How can personal branding help contractors Balancing personal branding and business branding The importance of branding and legacy for a...

EP180: Behind The Curtain of Oase Living Water w/ CEO Thorsten Muck

The Pond Digger Podcast

Eric sits down with Thorsten Muck, the CEO of Oase Living Water. The two talk about Thorsten’s journey to Oase, the challenges and successes he’s experienced in his seven years as CEO, merging with other companies, and how COVID-19 affected them. Thorsten also shares insights into his life running a global business and talks about the tendency of water features getting forbidden due to water scarcity and why he is against it. In this episode, they talk about: Thorsten’s career journey and how he got into the water features industry Different companies Thorsten worked with before...

EP179: The Power of Assumptions with Yelenich & Matyas

The Pond Digger Podcast

We all make assumptions every day without even realizing it. And sometimes, most of the assumptions we make have a bad connotation. So, while assumptions can get you in trouble, Eric discusses the flip side of it—the power of assumptions. He sits down with Slayer and Tyson to talk about how assumptions can be good too and explores the power of assumptions. In this episode, they talk about: The meaning and definition of assumptions Is making assumptions good or bad Eric’s experience of assuming things about a client and how it turned out How making assumptions without proof can lead...

EP178: Undergravel Suction Grid Technology w/ Jason Steele & Mark Yori

The Pond Digger Podcast

At first, Jason was skeptical of underground suction grid technology. He thought it’s not going to work. It’s going to clog up. It’s going to be a maintenance nightmare. But after testing it in his pond for five years, he found it worked well. Eric is at the water garden expo and sits down with Jason Steele and Mark Yori to discuss undergravel suction grid technology. In this episode, they talk about: Undergravel suction grid technology – Jason’s introduction to it and why he implemented it in his pond designs How Jason’s perspective on pond maintenance changed after...

EP177: Fighting Fitz’s Fish Ponds w/ Brian Fitzsimmons

The Pond Digger Podcast

Today’s guest, Brian Fitzsimmons from Fitz’s Fish Ponds, has built a successful business of building ponds and breeding and selling koi fish, but these days, he is focusing his energy on something else. He is going to take on Eric as part of the match on August 17th for Brian Barczyk’s Legacy Aquarium. Tune in to find out Brian and Eric’s preparations and predictions for the fight and how you can support their efforts. In this episode, they talk about: Brian’s journey to Japan to select koi fish to bring back to the US Brian’s experience of transporting koi fish from...

EP176: Quitting the 5 AM Club w/ Johnny Buck

The Pond Digger Podcast

Do you believe there is a need to wake up at 5 AM every day to be successful? Today’s guest, Johnny Buck, found this isn’t sustainable long term. As an entrepreneur, athlete, and coach, he was burning the candle at both ends just to keep up. In this episode, he shares his decision to quit the 5 AM Club and take a more flexible approach to mornings and how it has impacted his life and work. In this episode, they talk about: What is the 5 AM Club, and whether it is necessary for success The misconceptions around the 5 AM club What made Johnny quit the 5 AM Club and explore...

EP175: Cichlid Breeding Chronicles with Living Legend John Niemans

The Pond Digger Podcast

Eric sits down with Cichlid legend John Niemans to discuss his encyclopedic knowledge of cichlids. They discuss John’s experiences over 30+ years of keeping and breeding cichlids, lessons he’s learned along the way, breeding and fishkeeping tips for different cichlid groups like Africans, New World cichlids, Asians, and more. If you’re passionate about Cichlids, this episode is for you! In this episode, they talk about: Different cichlid breeding behaviors — substrate spawning, mouth-brooding, etc Issues with growing fish in small tanks and buying stunted fish from...

EP174: Aging and Exiting The Pond Industry w/ The Pond Monster, Mark Gibson & Mike Miller

The Pond Digger Podcast

As pond professionals get older, it’s natural to start thinking about retirement. But leaving behind a career you’ve poured your heart into for decades is no easy task. Eric sat down with three industry veterans—The Pond Monster, Mark Gibson, and Mike Miller—to get their insights on aging in the industry and how to make an exit. In this episode, they talk about: Aging in the pond industry and the challenges of exiting the business The importance of networking, education, and attending industry events Approaching well-known speakers and experts who are willing to share...

More Episodes

Do you know there’s a Fish Club local to around you? Today’s guest, Ross Freeman, is the President of the Coast Tropical Fish Club located in California. He has been a member of the club for over 15 years and has held various volunteer roles during that time. Ross gives an inside look at what goes on during a typical meeting of the club, the upcoming events, and how you can get involved with your local fish club.

In this episode, they talk about:

The history and mission of the Coast Tropical Fish Club
Structure and details of the club’s monthly meetings — first Sunday of every month from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m
Speaker selection process of the club
Volunteering roles within the club — program chair, treasurer, auctioneer, etc
The process and system for bidding on fish and plants at the club auction
The types of fish-related items that members typically bring to auctions
Fish breeding, club dynamics, and improving member contributions
Details on the Aqua-Swap event coming up on April 7th in Fountain Valley, CA
The difference between buying fish from big box stores vs. a fish club
Tension between hobbyist members and professional members of the club
Benefits of joining an aquarium club – access to knowledgeable members, support for local breeders, opportunities to learn, and more
Speaking and podcast opportunities at the club